Biologist Questions

[tdub24]

When any new hunters ask for starting advice, I always hear folks tell them to contact the biologist of the area. I personally have never done such a thing, just normally get boots on the ground and learn what I can when I can. With that being said, what are some questions you folks recommend asking game biologist when someone is hunting a new unit and/or state??

 

[ivorytip]

ive mett some real helpfull guys and some real stick up the but guys when it comes to bios. i onced asked a fish and game guy a question about the area he was over and this guy was clueless on the names i was giving him and he said those must be in another part of the state, so i grabed a reg off the counter and flipped to the map in there and showes him what i was talking about then he just played dumb. as you said, feet on the ground is best but sometimes its not that easy so we make a few calls to get help. ill ask how the pops are looking in certain areas, how feed is looking, what moisture was like in there during the summer. keep in mind that the bios that are actualy outdoorsmen themselves will have the most acurate info but also buddies that theyd rather share acurate info with.... one approach, if you dont mind the bars, hit up a bar close to interested area buy some rounds after making some buddies and start asking. also, my fav, call the local taxi guys, they are loaded with info, tell him you will be hunting nearby and ask if he has a cooler to store meat in if needed and that if you find your bigun that youd like him to do some work, he will be more then happy to point you in right direc to shoot something thatll put him to work. not his honey hole but he will take care of ya.

 

[hoshour]

If you have Mike Eastman's new book on elk he has a chapter on scouting a new area and includes a long list of questions about what to ask biologists, wardens, etc.

In my own experience, some biologists are extremely helpful and others just seem really busy. The main thing is they know the conditions and the comings and goings of whatever herd you are asking about.

The first they are usually willing to talk about. The second, some will tell you and others won't. It always helps to have a face-to-face and once they get to size you up they may open up a lot more.

Ask about:
Population trend
Buck/doe ratio
Recent winterkill or disease
Percentage of mature animals
What outfitters opearte in the area and if so, where
Do they migrate, and if so, where and when
How critical is the water situation
Where would he hunt, assuming he doesn't hunt the area?
For where the most hunting pressure is, you might have to ask the warden, but the biologist may know where to go to get away from pressure

 

[hoshour]

Don't forgot to stop by the taxidermists' shops once you narrow down an area. Most are very willing to help you out as to where the best success is and where the biggest heads come from.

Many people don't know that Colorado employs hunt planners to help you decide where in the state to hunt, depending on you and how you like to hunt. I have found them to be pretty helpful. Just call the main Game and Fish number.

 

[Ikeepitcold]

I think the norm you will find is that some a great and others not so much.

It's like any type of research for a new area. Ask question from anyone that might know the area. Boots on the ground and ask the bios on places to start looking then find YOUR spot. When your going in blind a bio can narrow the area down so your not wasting precious spotting time and energy. We pay their salaries and they should me willing to help when we ask.

 

[JasonGNV]

I've personally never had a good dealing with a bio, matter of fact I've never even received a return phone call after leaving messages. Wardens have been very helpful once they size you up and check you out. I've found that boots on the ground or even tires on the trails helps get familiar with areas and then narrow down the key areas.
I do have to say my buddy last year did get fantastic info from a bio before his sheep hunt, he even called during the hunt to tell him more info. I just haven't been that lucky in my dealings, yet.

 

[hoshour]

I've never had one not return my call and I've probably talked to 15-20 biologists. It may take them several days to call back because they may be in the field and I always call again if the first call was not returned after a few days.

 

[atrietch]

I had a good exp last year in MT. The bio hunted the area, so he was a bit short on details.
However he answered everything politely and accurately. (Later confirmed)

 

[BKC]

Don't forgot to stop by the taxidermists' shops once you narrow down an area. Most are very willing to help you out as to where the best success is and where the biggest heads come from.

Many people don't know that Colorado employs hunt planners to help you decide where in the state to hunt, depending on you and how you like to hunt. I have found them to be pretty helpful. Just call the main Game and Fish number.

i have hunted Colorado my whole life and never heard of a hunt planner for the division of wildlife or the new parks and wildlife. Where did you hear about this?

 

[Musket Man]

i have hunted Colorado my whole life and never heard of a hunt planner for the division of wildlife or the new parks and wildlife. Where did you hear about this?

Its on their web site. I cant say exactly how to find it but I have seen it and info on who to call for different areas.

 

[WapitiBob]

I asked our bio for the location of all the dept owned tanks/guzzlers. When he said he didn't give that info out, I asked him if I should send the public info request to his boss in town or his boss's boss at the state HQ.
Most dept employees share tons of info with each other, and have no problem keeping everybody else in the dark. AZ puts that info on their HabiMap. Never hunted over water in OR or AZ yet but I want to know where it is.

 

[hoshour]

i have hunted Colorado my whole life and never heard of a hunt planner for the division of wildlife or the new parks and wildlife. Where did you hear about this?

Here's the page - it is actually the home page - look at the orange box in the upper right corner http://cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/Pages/BigGame.aspx

 

[BKC]

Here's the page - it is actually the home page - look at the orange box in the upper right corner http://cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/Pages/BigGame.aspx

I'll be damned, what will they think of next. What a way to have our money spent! Whats next, will they start running a shuttle bus to the trailheads?

 

[tdub24]

Thanks everybody for your responses. Something new to me so I truly appreciate it. I just sent him an email, then will call after I see how that goes. My plan for is pretty basic for this UT muzzleloader bull hunt: 1.) scout out some roads, advantage points, camp sites, etc... 2.) Get the boots on the ground and find all signs of elk in as many places as possible. Definitely will be able to make 2 trips, possibly 4 before my NV tag starts. I will be able to set up camp 2 or 3 days prior to my UT hunt for a little last second scouting. Hopefully I will be able to tie one to a tree.

Thanks again, Thomas

 

[swampokie]

I have had good experiences and bad ones with bio/wardens. It seems as you go up the chain of command the info gets less helpful and the person more out of touch. Its very hard to put boots on the ground when your 1000 miles from the hunt area and low on funds. This is exactly where a bio can bridge the gap. At least that's what I try to do when I get calls from hunters that have drawn or are interested in any of my wma's. Try to talk to the field hands that are actually on the ground with up to date knowledge.

 

[AKaviator]

Just for a different perspective; as a warden, you can't imagine how many calls I received about where to hunt, where the herd is, where's the best place to find a 40" ram...etc, etc. Most calls I returned but generally the hunter set the tone. Most were great and I was happy to help. Others were demanding and seemed to expect I give them exact spots and specifics. I was less inclined to help them. I was never too fond of strangers coming to my home late in the evenings either. Giving season and limits information is a duty, giving best hunting area information really wasn't, but I did anyway. And in Alaska we don't have state tax so they didn't pay my salary.

I often patrolled for weeks at a time and stayed in a cabin at Happy Valley near the Dalton highway. I have had hunters beat on my door after midnight, demanding to know where I saw caribou while I was out flying. It was hard to be polite.

Anyone who knows me would know that I really enjoy helping folks with their hunts. I've tried hard to help many on this forum. Just remember when you reach out to a warden or biologist that he/she may have had 200 calls before you and one of those calls might have been to their home late at night. Be polite and friendly and understanding if they seem impatient at times.

 

[hoshour]

Thanks for weighing in, AK. It's good to get the perspective of someone on the other end.

The behavior of some hunters never ceases to amaze and disgust me. I just can't picture knocking on someone's door after 8:00 unless someone's life is in danger, midnight I just don't get at all. Demanding anything of a stranger is rude, but demanding to know specifically where to hunt is really ignorant behavior, probably influenced by a good bit of alcohol.

Thanks for your help on the forum. You've helped me out with some posts and PMs and I appreciate it.

 

[marcusvdk]

Just for a different perspective; as a warden, you can't imagine how many calls I received about where to hunt, where the herd is, where's the best place to find a 40" ram...etc, etc. Most calls I returned but generally the hunter set the tone. Most were great and I was happy to help. Others were demanding and seemed to expect I give them exact spots and specifics. I was less inclined to help them. I was never too fond of strangers coming to my home late in the evenings either. Giving season and limits information is a duty, giving best hunting area information really wasn't, but I did anyway. And in Alaska we don't have state tax so they didn't pay my salary.

I often patrolled for weeks at a time and stayed in a cabin at Happy Valley near the Dalton highway. I have had hunters beat on my door after midnight, demanding to know where I saw caribou while I was out flying. It was hard to be polite.

Anyone who knows me would know that I really enjoy helping folks with their hunts. I've tried hard to help many on this forum. Just remember when you reach out to a warden or biologist that he/she may have had 200 calls before you and one of those calls might have been to their home late at night. Be polite and friendly and understanding if they seem impatient at times.

I would have looked like one of those grizzly bears answering the door if the were pounding on it after midnight. Sry you have to deal with some of those As*hats.

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